The Invasion of Zagliastrua Chapter 2- The night brings counsel...and bruises

Leind awoke in the middle of the night, his heart beating too fast to allow him the little rest that he sought. Still in his tunic, he rose from the bed and, with all the agility he had at the moment, slipped out of the room he shared with the other comrades while trying to not make noise.

Finally, once outside, he ran through the camp till he had no more air in his lungs. Once far away, he began to breathe deeply to calm his nerves, filling his nostrils with the smell of fresh air.

Inspire quickly, Exhale slowly, Inspire quickly, exhale slowly...

While at each exhalation he rotated his arms in the opposite direction one to the other. This sequence of movement often succeeded in calming his heart when he noticed the spark of a panic attack. It went on for probably more than 20 minutes, drops of sweat started to run down Leind's cheeks and forehead. His breath had become heavier but that sense of oppression with which he had woke up, had finally subsided again.

Twenty damn minutes.

Leind closed his eyes and raised his head to the night sky. When he opened them again, for the first time since he had arrived in Zagliastrua, he noticed how different the atmosphere was. The sky was clearer and brighter than the one he saw every night in Ksamin. The stars shone much brighter and seemed to be alive in their dance around the vault of heaven. Watching that beautiful spectacle he slightly curled his lips into a small smile. Maybe there was something decent about this fucking trip.

But as soon as that thought reached his mind, the smile became a grimace.

What a stupid thing to notice.

That small consolation would vanish shortly, replaced by the usual thoughts of what was to come. Deciding to abandon that beautiful view, Leind closed again his eyes, let out a long sigh, and set off to return to sleep, to get what little rest he could.

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As he was returning to his room, he threw his gaze towards the whole camp, which was patrolled by sentries both on the outer sides and from high wooden towers, erected in the first days of arrival. While gazing at the camp, his eyes met the right edge of the camp where was set the tent of General Londse. Leind noticed that a faint light came out of the small glimmer left by the closed curtains. Knowing how much Londse cared about the behavior of the soldiers, soon concluded that his general was awake, as he could not have left his lantern burning while sleeping.

The general's voice echoed in his head, "Every part of the day has its purpose. The light of the day to read, plan and fight. The darkness of the night to sleep and rest, or to ambush but that's not me nor you"

Leind was sure that his superior was awake. Immediately, in his mind, the voice of Londse was replaced by the words of Akser:

"General Londse is the only one who knows about the three bigwigs and will reveal it in due time."

As much as he could understand the logic of his superior, Leind had a bitter taste in his mouth. Were they not all in this together? Were they not risking their lives for the same cause? Then why should they have less information than others, why should they have been kept in the dark about something that could have benefited their mood?

Leind was not the only one who went to sleep at night hoping to hear the next day something like "Ehi guys the lords had changed their minds, they abandoned their intentions of destruction. You are free to return to your loved ones. Go home".

They all deserved to know that they had three legends on their side, and deserved to know that this was not a suicide run. So Leind did the only thing that was currently on his mind and headed for the tent. General Londse, fortunately, never kept guards in defense of his own tent, not that he needed them, but it was customary. Thanks to that Leind was able to peel back the veil at the entrance and marched inside without further hesitation.

However, he did not have the time to move two feet beyond the entrance because he was grabbed and thrown against what must have been the central pillar of the tent. The impact was not the worst he had suffered but the acrid taste of blood mixed with saliva filled his mouth. After having collapsed on the ground, he tried to get up but the next moment he felt a hand grabbing his neck and found himself lifted, back on the pillar, like a child. Right in front of him, was the face of his general, a man in his fifties with short blond hair, a thick mustache, and a sparse beard.

"I didn't remember making arrangements to be disturbed during the night, and you can take my word for it" as he spoke he brought Leind's face to light "I have an excellent memory" Londse was as serious as ever, but his gaze appeared troubled beyond measure "Private Leind" a small pause, "To what will of the sacred Medriot do I owe your fucking entrance into my damn tent?"

Londse's hand was steady, firm as steel, holding Leind's neck in an immovable grip but at the same time allowing him to breathe, at least just enough to keep him from passing out. His cheeks had started to itch, and the taste of blood in his mouth continued to work its way into his brain all the meanwhile small tears began to form in his eyes, the quick effect of the present unexpected strangulation "General" it was difficult to even speak, so he opted for the raw truth "Private Leind reporting. I am mortified sir, I had a moment of panic sir."

Screw his questions, Leind at this moment just wanted to go back to his room. What had his brain told him? A soldier enters his general's tent without asking permission and without introducing himself. Oh, if he was screwed. The grip on his neck slowly loosened until it came off. Placing his feet on the ground, Leind heaved a sigh into his mind while coughing fits advanced quickly down his throat. In what seemed like endless moments he settled back into position.

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His general waited till he was in front of Leind, then spoke "It is not panic that brings you here. But hope, I can see it in your eyes. I guess you've heard something," then paused to reflect, "Tell me what you know and who told you about it."

The message was clear and concise, and without even having time to regroup his thoughts, Leind spoke "Sir, I know there is a rumor that three supreme mages are surrounding the perimeter of the island and-" suddenly a hesitation caused him to close his lips.

What if he got his friend into trouble? He did not want to disobey the general's orders of course... but if it meant having a comrade punished for trying to pull him out of depression, then Leind was more than willing to keep his mouth shut and suffer any punishment he deserved.

The general's eyes were on Leind, clearly waiting for more information. A few moments were enough, Londse gripped his face with one hand as if he was thinking and all of a sudden violently pounded his fist on the table, which shattered under the weight of the blow. Leind was startled by the improvised lash of the general.

The crash was accompanied by the yell of Londse "Damn you, Akser! I wonder what he has come to do in the damned ranks of the Swords Of Oricalcos! He's better at gathering information than the fricking members of the Nine Petals' network!"

Leind's eyes widened; Had the general figured it all only in that instant? Had he guessed everything from the break he had taken just now, or did he already know about Akser's knowledge?

Lowering his tone Londse turn his gaze again to him "Needless to hide it Leind, I already knew he was going to gather information. I certainly didn't think so quickly and effectively. By Medriot, I swear that Dradnian surprises me with each passing day." A long sigh interrupted the general's words, "Yes the information that came to you is correct. Sharden the Spear of Judgment, that prick of the Storm, and Kserma of the past order of the Golden Kings are already here, scouting the area, preparing traps and counter-offensives. Also, if the word hadn't already reached you, reinforcements should be arriving from Sanctum tomorrow; the Empress has decided to contribute to the crisis by sending her third-born son, Retn Names, and part of her army of lava golems as reinforcements."

At that moment Leind's soul was gripped by diametrically opposite feelings. A joy had taken hold of him, knowing that not only was everything true, but indeed was even better than his wildest expectations. Still, at the same time, he was seized by an irrepressible rage, so strong that he had never felt such a rush. Weeks passed in the blackest depression convinced that he was no more than a necessary sacrifice, he felt mocked, as if he had been considered less than nothing.

Anger won out over reason, and abandoning all posture he spread his arms wide, raising his voice, "Then why have none of us heard of it! Are we not worthy to know that there is hope? We are risking our lives as much as anyone else, if not more. For what damn to Medriot reason have we been kept in the dark-"

A blow to the right side of his face, now pained, interrupted his fury as well as his speech. As he was hurled toward a part of the tent he could not figure it out, he thought about how much he hated himself at that moment. He had let his feelings get the best of him, AGAIN!, and this time by yelling at a superior. At the general who countless times had saved his life and made him the soldier, he was now.

Some soldier he was... entering without permission and yelling.

Great job Leind, you are an idiot. He thought to himself

The crash was nothing compared to the pain in his cheek.

"Watch your language Leind, I'm not in the mood to remind you how to behave toward a superior" Londse inhaled deeply and, after a few steps, took a chair sitting down in front of him, who meanwhile took the time to recompose himself.

Again, Londse waited for Leind to watch him before speaking "Do you think I'm amused? Do you think it's a hobby of mine, in which, while I'm organizing a battle plan I amuse myself by watching your miserable lives get more depressed because you think you're not up to the task? Is that what you think? Huh?" his eyelids did not blink as he penetrated Leind's gaze with his dark eyes, almost peering into his soul "Soldiers are not born of calmness and tranquility. True soldiers are born from overcoming insecurities, from life-or-death situations, they are born from the willpower to overcome seemingly impossible tasks!" there was passion in his voice, it was clear how important it was to him.

"If I have not warned you so far, it is because nothing is owed in war but your loyalty to the country. You are to do what is necessary, whether the situation is favorable to us or if it leads to certain death! This is the kind of soldiers I want in my army, this is the damn kind of people who guarantee fucking peace for people unable to defend themselves!"

Leind had not broken the gaze between him and the general but in the meantime had recomposed himself by pointing his knees to the ground.

"Take this," he placed in his hand a small bottle with the image of multiple leaves in different colors, "it's a medicine from Cartcussa, the work of the old alchemists, it will make your cheek like before, by morning. One last thing...since you, Akser, and I don't know who else already knows what I was going to tell you the next days, I'll give you two the task of alerting not only the entire platoon but also everyone else. As to when I don't care. Now get the fuck out of here."

And so Leind emerged from the tent, with the pain left by the general's blow, but with a lighter breath. Perhaps all was not lost. Perhaps he would be able to return to Ksamin, re-embrace his loved ones, have fun like he used to, and do many other things...

Now there was a possibility.

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Before heading back for the chamber he decided to use the ointment provided to him by the general. As soon as he applied it to the bruise, which now covered the cheek, he immediately felt a feeling of relief. Heck, the old alchemists certainly knew their stuff! It was indeed a pity that so many had gone into voluntary exile on the continent of Cartcussa, leaving vacant many places where their help was needed. Unfortunately, all too often research and lawlessness were in danger of coinciding, and alchemists in order to continue their research preferred to move away from a state that hindered their research to a wilder one.

Mah...

Sometimes certain events cannot be prevented, from one side, a government that is trying to protect its people by putting a line on experiments, and from the other side those pushing for progress and innovation for the sake of evolution.

Having waited a while so that the ointment could fully absorb on his skin, Leind decided that he did not seriously care to think further about the policies and the events that had driven the alchemists into self-exile.

After having clarified again his priorities, Leind chose to go to sleep and went back.

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Entering the room as quietly as possible Leind made his way to his station, only to be interrupted by a whisper. Hurd, on the opposite side of the room, had lighted a small lantern and was whispering and moving to be noticed. His companion was glaring at him; they had known each other for a long time now and could tell on the fly when someone had done something. It was obvious to Hurd that Leind had not gone out just to calm his own nerves. His eyes focused on Leind's in search of a response.

Leind rippled his lips in a weak smile and bowed his head in a positive nod. It was hard to tell with the present little light but he was sure his companion's eyes had begun to sparkle. Returning the grimace, Hurd, without another word or whisper, extinguished the flame and went back to sleep. Leind himself after a few moments did the same.

The next day he would talk to Akser, informing him of Londse's kind punishment, but he really did not care. What mattered was that Akser's rumor was true. And he had finally confirmed it.

Finally, he could sleep.